Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-02

WHY IT CONES AND HOW TO TREATIr.
From Science.
DR.. G. I. Jackson read paper recently before
the New York County Medical society on badness
and its treatment. He described four varieties OF
badness, or alopecia 1. Aopecia adnata, the COLI
genital form; 2. A. senilis; 8. A. premature; f. a.
areata. A. senilis is that form which occurs In
Old age or after the age OF forty -1ve and is often
cause Of 9y e t Of the hair
neous tissues OF the scalp and dlminution OF
blooa supply, followed by an obliteration OF the
hair fOllicleS. 1t is but one expression OF that
general lowering OF nutrition incident to advanc-
Ing years When the scalp is atrophied nothing
can DE done In the way OF treatment, but prophy-
lax1s may do great deal In posJponing those
changes.
A. premature of that form Of badness which
are two varieties the idiopathic and the symp-
tOmatlc. The former occurs most commonly
between the age OF TWENTY-FIVE and thirty live, and
IS not due to any antecedent or concomitant
disease. 1t differs from the senile form in occur
ring at an earlier age, and in being unaccompanied
by other signs OF diminished physical vigor, such
as loss of teeth, dullness or sight and hearing The
chief cause Of this variety Is Incredibly Every one
has known OF families in which The fathers and
sons have become bald at very early age. Another
cause Is improper or deficient OF the scalp It
is a common practice for men TO Souse the head
daily In water Ellingher has noted this habit in 81
per cent OF his cases OF badness. Thinkers and
Drain workers are very often bald. Eaton found
In the audiences attendant upon churches anu
operas In Boston, that from forty TO fifty per
cent OF the men were bald; while In cheap mu-
seums and at prize fights the percentage was only
II to %. Stuff hats may cause badness by COM
pressing the arteries that supply the scalp Tight
and unyenttlated hats make the scalp warm and
cause IL to perspire, thus favorng badness. King
says that badness OF the verteX is due TO compress
sion by st1n hats or the arteries which supply
that part. The little turt OF hair often observed
On the top OF the forehead Is nouriShed by arteries
which escape pressure.
That women do not become bald so often as
men IS probably because they preserve the cushion
OF fat under the scalp longer than men do They
do not wear their hats as much as men; nor are
these so clOse-fitting or made Of such impermea-
ne mat aeeaa Iney also give more attention to
these reasons DR.. Jackson regards the preServa-
ton Of the fat and connective tissue the scalp
portant.
The treatment of this variety Of badness is
mainly maj one OF prophyaxis and hygiene; In fami
birth and continue through life. The scalp should
be kept clean by an occasional shampoo OF soap
means. This should not be repeated oflener than
once In two or three weeks and after the washing
the scalp should be carefully dried and vaseline
hair by the fire or In the sun, and not dress it until
dry. The hair should be thoroughly brushed and
suf1icient to make the scalp glow. For this
brush should have long and moderately
ssd ,r nristle set in groups widely separ
reach the scalp, and brush out the dust. A
comb with large, smooth teeth should be used
Pomades should not be used and the daily sOusinp
OF the hair discontinued. Women should not use
bandoline nor pull or twist the hair nor scorch it
with curing-irons, nor smother 1t under false
hair. Easy fitting, light, and ventilated hats
should be worn, and working under hot artificial
light should be avoided. Mr.. Goninlock writing
on badness in the Popular Science MonthLu gives
IL as his opinion that it is due principally to the
high hat and the hard felt hat, and TO any other
covering that constructs the blood vessels which
nourisn the hair bulbs. Few, he says, will escape
the evil effects OF twenty or thirty years of rigid
tight-ntting hats, the destructive process being
delayed only by the length and frequency OF re-
spite from this tOurniquet Of fashion.